Crystal Returning to San Francisco

Crystal Cruises is returning to the Port of San Francisco in 2011, featuring nine 12-day voyages to Alaska and a 19-day Panama Canal cruise to New York on the Crystal Symphony.

For more than a decade Crystal has been a mainstay at San Francisco, offering round-trip summer sailings to Alaska through 2005.

“The Port is honored to welcome Crystal Cruises and their 9,200 guests back to the beautiful San Francisco Bay,” said Monique Moyer, executive director of the Port of San Francisco, in a prepared statement. “The continuity of a homeport ship for the summer season on the San Francisco waterfront means a lot for the local economy, both in terms of tourism and also jobs for longshoremen and ship support workers.”

“We’re delighted Crystal Symphony will be returning to San Francisco, a destination where we have such deep traditions,” commented Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. “By 2011, we will not have had a summer series of Alaska cruises for six years. These itineraries add a fresh mix to our cruise repertoire and appeal to regional residents and Crystal cruisers worldwide. The convenience, beauty, and richness of the itineraries make this a perfect holiday for discerning individual travelers, couples, and family reunions.”

Terminal 27

The Port of San Francisco has begun development of Pier 27 as the city’s primary cruise terminal, taking over the role currently filled by Pier 35, a two-berth facility located near Fisherman’s Wharf. The new Pier 27 Cruise Terminal will meet the latest industry standards and be built and operated employing the highest environmental and sustainable practices available. A shore-side power hook-up is expected to be on line in 2010, which will allow equipped cruise ships to reduce air emissions to near-zero. The Port will convert the existing maritime shed into a 120,000-square-foot terminal and incorporate an adjacent open-space plaza. The renovated Pier 27 will meet the evolved security and passenger-handling demands of the cruise industry, while also being configured to allow recreation and special-event uses.

2009/2010

San Francisco is forecasting 44 ship calls in 2010, down from 62 in 2009 which was boosted by ship re-deployments following the outbreak of the H1N1 virus in Mexico. Next year, the Norwegian Sun is also moving from Alaska to Europe and Princess is reducing its Mexican Riviera sailings. Another new caller in 2011 will be the Disney Wonder on her spring repositioning cruise to Alasksa.

About the Port of San Francisco

The Port of San Francisco is a self-revenue generating agency of the City and County of San Francisco that manages a broad range of commercial, maritime, and public-access facilities along 7½ miles of the City’s waterfront that are held in public trust for the people of California. Famous for its scenic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities, and world-class cuisine, San Francisco has been a homeport for cruise ships since 1969, featuring Alaska, Mexico, and coastal itineraries. Each year the Port hosts more than 60 cruise calls at its Pier 35 and Pier 27 cruise terminals, welcoming approximately 200,000 guests.